Match-box.



D. LEONARD.

MATCH BOX. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24. I916.

LQQ WE Patented June 12, 1917.

MATCH-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 12, I917.

Application filed June 24, 1916. Serial No. 105,634.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANA LEONARD, a citizen of -the United States,residing at \Va terloo, in the county of Blackhawk and State of Iowa,have invented new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to match boxes and has for its chiefcharacteristic to provide a device of this character which will deliverthe matches singly from the box whereby the matches will be economicallydistributed and the wasting of the same prevented.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which is particularly designed for cigar stands or the like,the device being simple, efiicient and durable in construction andcapable of being manufactured at a nominal cost.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the specification is readin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is afront elevation of the device constructed in accordance with myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of Fig. 1 showing the box orreceptacle partly filled with matches, and tho delivering member beingshown in elevated position.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 1 designates a basewhich is formed of any suitable material, and which is of any desiredshape. Secured to the upper side of the base 1 at a point centrallythereof is an upstanding receptacle or box 2, which is in this instanceof rectangular configuration and is formed of any suitable material suchas tin or the like, the upper end of the receptacle being open while thelower end is mounted on the base 1 as will be understood. The front wallof the receptacle 2 is provided with a transversely extending slot 3arranged preferably at a point adjacent its lower end, the slot havingits lower and upper wall provided at their medial portions withsemi-circular recesses 4:.

Mounted within the receptacle and hinged to the rear wall thereof at apoint above the slot 3 is my improved delivering member 5 which is inthe form of a plate, standing on an incline and of such a length as toproject through the slot 3. The free end of the plate as shown in Fig. 2of the drawings is disposed exteriorly of the receptacle and has itsedge upturned in a flange as at t.

The medial portion of the free edge of the delivering member and itsflange are pro vided with an arcuate shaped recess 7 alined with therecesses 4: so 'as to permit the operator to readily withdraw thematches as will be hereinafter described. It will be noted that owing tothe fact that the lower end of the delivering member is disposed withinthe slot 3, the walls of the slot limit the upward and downward movementof the plate when actuating the latter to withdraw the matches.

It will be seen from the foregoing construction that when the receptacle2 is filled or partly filled with matches, the delivering member beingarranged upon an incline, the matches will gravitate toward the slot 3,the slot being of such a width to permit only one of the matches to passtherethrough. The match having passed through the slot 8, it will engagethe upturned flange 6 and will thus span the arcuate shaped recess 7whereby the operator may readily remove the match, the recesses 4 beingso positioned as to permit the ready insertion of the fingers inwithdrawing the match. When re moving the match, the operator willalmost invariably elevate the delivering member so as to engage theupper wall of the slot 3 thereby checking the delivery of the remainingmatches within the receptacle at that time but agitating them so as toinsure the single delivery of another match when the member 5 falls. Itof course will be understood that when it is released, the deliveringmember will gravitate to its normal position thereby permitting thesucceeding match to slide through the slot and into engagement with theupturned flange, whereby the same may be removed and the operation aspreviously described repeated.

In this embodiment of my invention I have shown the front wall of thereceptacle 2 provided with vertically extending spaced slots 8 which aredisposed directly above the transversely extending slot 8. It will beseen from this construction that the slots 8 permit the operator to viewthe interior of the receptacle so as to determine the number of matcheswithin the receptacle for refilling of the same.

While the present invention is not of necessity confined to thedelivering of matches, it is particularly adapted to such use although Iwish it to be clearly understood that the device may be used fordelivering other articles without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

lVhat I claim is The herein described match box comprising an uprightrectangular receptacle having a transverse slot in its front wall of awidth and length to permit the passage of but a single match, the upperand. lower edges of the slot having registering recesses, a sheet metaldelivering member hinged to the rear Wall of the receptacle and inclineddownward and forward through such slot, and an upturned flange at thefront end of said member spaced from the front wall a distancesufficient to permit the retention of but a single match, the front endof the member and its flange being provided with a recess registeringwith those in the wall, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I afl ix my signature. 20

DANA LEONARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Pa Washington, D. G.

